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Home , Dead zone (ecology), Millepora alcicornis, Stoplight parrotfish

STATUSSTATUS OFOF THETHE FLOWERFLOWER GARDENGARDEN BANKSBANKS OFOF THETHE NORTHWESTERNNORTHWESTERN GULFGULF OFOF MEXICOMEXICO GeorgeGeorge P.P. SchmahlSchmahl

Introduction which about 0.4 km2 is reef (Gardner et al. 1998). The Flower Garden Banks are two prominent geo- logical features on the edge of the outer continental Structurally, the Flower Garden Banks coral reefs shelf in the northwest , approxi- are composed of large, closely spaced heads up to mately 192 km southeast of Galveston, . three or more meters in diameter and height. Reef Created by the uplift of underlying salt domes of topography is relatively rough, with many vertical Jurassic origin, they rise from surrounding water and inclined surfaces. If the relief of individual

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FLOWER GARDENS depths of over 100 m to within 17 m of the surface coral heads is ignored, the top of the reef is rela- FLOWER GARDENS FLOWER GARDENS (Fig. 205). Stetson Bank, 48 km to the northwest of tively flat between the reef surface and about 30 m. the Flower Gardern Banks, is a separate claystone/ It slopes steeply between 30 m and the reef base. siltstone feature that harbors a low diversity coral Between groups of coral heads, there are sand community. Fishermen gave the Flower Garden patches and channels from 1-100 m long. Sand Banks their name because they could see the bright areas are typically small patches or linear channels. colors of the reef from the surface and pulled the Probably due to its geographic isolation and other brightly colored and sponges up on their factors, there are only about 28 of reef- lines and in their nets. building corals, a relatively low diversity. Interest- These are the northernmost coral reefs on the conti- ingly, the Flower Garden Banks contain no elkhorn nental shelf of , located between 27˚ or staghorn corals and no shallow-water sea whips 52’ and 27˚ 56’ North. They are isolated from other or sea fans (gorgonians) which are common in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico reefs, being over Caribbean. 690 km from the nearest reefs of the Campeche Coral growth is relatively uniform over the entire Bank off the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula. top of both banks, occupying the bank crests down The East Flower Garden Bank, located at 27˚ 54.5’ to about 50 m. As the reef slopes in the deeper N, 93˚ 36.0’ W, comprises about 65.8 km2 and regions, corals grow flatter and individual heads contains about 1.02 km2 of . About 19.3 can cover large areas. km to the west, the West Flower Garden Bank, (27˚ The East and West Flower Garden Banks were 2 52.5’ N, 93˚ 49.0’ W) comprises about 77.2 km , of designated as the Flower Garden Banks National

Figure 205. Bathymetry map of the East and West Flower Garden Banks (Credit: John Marine Sanctuary (the Christensen). Sanctuary or FGBNMS) in January 1992. In 1996, Bathymetry (m) 160-200 Stetson Bank was added. 150-160 The Sanctuary encom- 140-150 2 130-140 passes 145.8 km and 120-130 110-120 includes all of the shallow 100-110 coral reef areas. 90-100 80-90 70-80 60-70 Condition of the 50-60 40-50 Coral Reefs 30-40 20-30 The Flower Garden Banks are two of the least dis- turbed coral reefs in the Caribbean and western

143143 Atlantic and are among the few The current status provided by reefs anywhere that can be Dokken et al. (1999) is based considered nearly pristine on data from the 1996 and 1997 (Gittings and Hickerson 1998). monitoring effort (Table 19). The water bathing the Live coral cover above 30 m reefs is clear with visibility averages 51.8% (53.8% on the usually 25-30 m. Salinity and East Bank and 49.8% on the temperature variations are well West Bank). The coral heads within the range required for are frequently very cavernous, active coral growth. When first showing evidence of substantial studied in the early 1970s, coral internal bioerosion (Fig. 207). communities in the Flower Other prominent benthic Garden Banks appeared stable components include coralline and in excellent general health -covered rock (45.4%),

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FLOWER GARDENS FLOWER GARDENS FLOWER GARDENS and have remained so. Some leafy and filamentous algae isolated injury caused by (2.7%), sponge (1.5%), and anchoring vessels, illegal patches of sand (less than 0.1%) fishing gear, tow cables, and Figure 206. Reefs at the Flower Garden may cover 10% of the bottom. seismic arrays was observed. Banks have high coral cover (Photo: Since sites were chosen to Stephen Gittings). monitor reef habitat and avoid Coral and – Gittings sand, sand channels and patches (1998) reviewed the data from all of the assessment probably account for around 10% of the Bank and monitoring studies through 1995 (for specifics, benthos. refer to the below monitoring section within this report). Coral cover averaged 47.3% and has not By percentage cover, the dominant coral species significantly changed since initial studies in 1972 are the boulder star coral (Montastrea annularis (Fig. 206). Similar consistency was observed in complex, 28.8%), symmetrical brain coral coral growth rates and other indicators of coral (Diploria strigosa, 9%), mustard hill coral (Porites health. The most recently published results astreoides, 4.6%), and the great star coral (Dokken et al. 1999) showed the trend had contin- (Montastrea cavernosa, 4.4%). Diversity (H´) ued through 1997. averaged 1.727 for all monitoring years since 1992, and Evenness (E) averaged

Table 19. Mean percent cover (%) of corals, reef rock, algae, sponge, and sand on 0.853. random transects sampled during 1996 and 1997 survey cruises at the East and West Flower Garden Banks. is routinely PERCENT COVER observed most years when Analyzed Components East Flower Garden Bank West Flower Garden Bank water temperatures exceed 30˚ 1996 1997 1996 1997 C, but is generally low and Montastraea annularis 30.5 28.0 34.0 22.6 Diploria strigosa 6.8 9.4 11.6 8.4 does not result in significant 5.9 6.6 2.6 3.2 mortality (Dokken et al. 1999). Montastraea cavernosa 6.0 3.7 4.7 3.3 Based on repetitive quadrat Colophyllia natans 1.0 3.1 1.7 1.2 photography, no bleaching was Millepora alcicornis 2.3 0.8 1.5 0.9 Agaricia agaricites 1.0 0.2 0.3 0.4 observed in 1996 at either the Stephanocoenia intersepta 0.6 1.0 0.6 0.2 East or West Flower Garden Madracis decactis 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.6 Siderastrea siderea 0.3 0.2 0.2 1.4 Bank. In 1997, bleaching was Mussa angulosa 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 observed in 1.9% of the coral Scolymia cubensis 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 colonies on the East Bank, and Porites furcata 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 in 1.2% of the colonies on the Madracis mirabilis 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Total coral 54.8 52.9 57.4 42.3 West Bank. Bleaching during Reef rock 41.8 48.6 39.8 51.5 the summer of 1998 was Leafy algae 0.0 5.2 0.9 4.8 Sponge 1.4 2.8 1.0 0.7 slightly higher than previous Sand 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 years, but was still less than

144144 5%, with mortality less than 1% (Q. Dokken pers. cern for the condition of the entire ecosystem (S. comm.). Fredericq pers. comm.). Coral disease was relatively rare, with only 23 In 1997, a slight increase in a red or blue-green turf incidents of disease or other unexplained mortality algal mat was observed on both banks, averaging observed in over 3700 colonies. Data from the about 5% cover (Dokken et al. 1999). Algal cover 1998 and 1999 monitoring effort have been com- declined slightly to about 3.2% in 1998, but then piled and are now under review. underwent a dramatic increase in 1999 (27.6% on the East Bank, 20.7% on the West Bank) (Q. of living coral by (Bruckner et Dokken pers. comm.). This increase occurred as al. 2000) is commonly observed, but the long-term algae colonized the bare reef rock, and may signal effect of this phenomenon is not known at this time that environmental factors are changing to favor (Fig. 208). algae. Algae – Only recently has the – In the coral reef algal community Water Quality

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vicinity of the Sanctuary, water FLOWER GARDENS been well documented. Crus- FLOWER GARDENS FLOWER GARDENS quality is generally very good. tose coralline and calcareous Being on the outer edge of the are common. Texas- continental Collections obtained in 1999 shelf, the Banks are directly show a community of at least influenced by the circulation 44 species of algae in depths patterns of the Gulf of Mexico. above 30 m (S. Fredericq pers. The most prominent current is comm.). Benthic macroalgae the Loop Current which brings are a minor, yet important warm, clear water from the component of the reef commu- Caribbean through the Yucatan nity in terms of potential channel into the Gulf of competitors for space Mexico basin, where it travels (Fredericq et al. 2000), grow- in a clockwise direction ing mostly in crevices and moving towards the western sandy interfaces. Solitary shelf of . Moving foliose algae are rarely encoun- inshore on the shelf, there is a tered; most of the algal com- Figure 207. The mushroom-like shape of this brain coral is a product of bioerosion significant onshore-offshore munity is composed of turf (Photo: Frank and Joyce Burek). current component influenced species. Algae are a primary by Loop Current rings and component of the deeper portions of the banks spin-off eddies. Close to shore there is a counter- (below 30 m). The region between 46 and 88 m is clockwise (east to west) shelf current off western known as the ‘algal-sponge zone’ (Rezak et al. Louisiana and Texas. This current is strongest in 1985). Algal populations have historically been low, with Figure 208. A stoplight parrotfish at the East Flower Garden Bank (Photo: Dick Zingula). percent cover estimates generally less than 5% between 1989 and 1996. The algal community increased to over 13% after the long-spined sea urchin die-off in 1983-84, but returned to pre- dieoff levels after two years (Gittings and Bright 1986), perhaps due to an increase of other herbi- vores. Blue-green algae are abundant and invading open space on coral heads (S. Fredericq pers. comm.). This could be in response to elevated nutrient levels, and therefore, may be an important indicator of water quality degradation and a potential con-

145145 winter and almost absent in summer (Lugo-Fernan- dez 1998). Water temperature near the Sanctuary varies seasonally and with depth. Average temperature over seven years varied at the reef surface at 24 m from a minimum of 19-20˚ C in February to a maximum of 29-30˚ C in July/August, with an annual range of 9-11˚ C (Lugo-Fernandez 1998). Interannual variations occur and temperatures over

30˚ C have been observed (Gittings et al. 1992), Figure 209. The golden-phase smooth trunk has only generally accompanied by varying levels of coral been reported on the Flower Gardens and Stetson Bank bleaching (Hagman and Gittings 1992). Salinity reefs (Photo credit: Frank and Joyce Burek). ranges between 35 and 36.5 ppt near the reef nent reef fish population. Fish diversity is low surface.

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FLOWER GARDENS FLOWER GARDENS FLOWER GARDENS compared with other Caribbean and South Atlantic Visibility averages 25-30 m. Turbidity is generally reefs (266 species) and abundance is high (Patten- very low, but periods of discoloration have been gill-Semmens 1999). Based on abundance, plank- observed, primarily in June or July, and may be tivores and invertebrate feeders are the most dom- associated with the Mississippi and Atchafalaya inant trophic groups (Pattengill et al. 1997). River outflows and coastal waters moving onto the shelf (Deslarzes 1998). Surface waters are affected Some of the most abundant species at all three by freshwater flows when wind patterns reverse, banks were reef butterflyfish (Chaetodon changing nearshore currents. sedentarius), Spanish hogfish (Bodianus rufus), bluehead wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum), brown Large Mobile Invertebrates – The Flower chromis (Chromis multilineata), bicolor damselfish Garden Banks are home to at least 27 species of (Stegastes partitus), creolefish (Paranthias sponges, 20 species of polychaetes, 62 species of furcifer), and sharpnose puffer (Canthigaster crustaceans, 667 species of mollusks, and 36 rostrata). A unique gold color phase of the smooth species of echinoderms. As in the case of mollusks, trunkfish (Lactophrys triqueter) has been docu- when invertebrate taxonomic experts inventory the mented (Pattengill 1998, Fig. 209). Fish families biota of the Sanctuary, the total number of resident and groups notably absent or only represented by and transient species should increase substantially. one or few species in low numbers include grunts The Flower Garden Banks had an almost complete (Haemulidae), snappers (Lutjanidae), and hamlets die-off of the long-spined sea urchin in 1983-84. (Hypoplectrus spp.). There is also evidence that There has been very little, if any, sustained recov- these reefs may serve as an important spawning ery, even though individual sea urchins are found and aggregation area for certain species of grouper. (Schmahl pers. comm.). The banks are year-round habitat for devil rays and Fish – The Flower Garden Banks support a promi- manta rays (Mobula hypostoma and Manta biros- tris, Fig. 210), and whale sharks (Rhincodon Figure 210 A manta ray at FGBNMS (Photo: Kaile Tsapis). typus). They serve as a winter habitat for several species of schooling sharks, including hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) and silky sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis), and spotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) (J. Childs 2001). Fishing pressure on the Sanctuary does not appear to be intense, but fishermen have used longline fishing gear in the vicinity of the banks and along the entire continental shelf since the late 1800s. Commercial snapper and grouper fishing occurs along the continental shelf edge, including the Flower Garden Banks. Target areas for this activity

146146 are typically the deeper portions of the Bank Banks are well buffered from urban pressures. There structure, away from the shallower coral reefs. are four primary threats to these reefs: 1) physical Anecdotal information suggests that snapper, jew- injury from vessel anchoring, 2) potential water fish, and other grouper populations have declined quality degradation, 3) impacts of fishing and over time. These are present but do not occur in fishing-related activities, and 4) impacts from oil abundance. There is no data prior to the late 1970s. and gas exploration and development. Fish population estimates were not made at the Over the last 20 years, a number of large industry same time as observations of algal populations, but vessels, freighters, and fishing vessels have an- by 1990, a significant increase in the abundance of chored at the Flower Garden Banks and caused queen and stoplight parrotfish (Scarus vetula and significant damage (Gittings et al. 1992). Since viride, respectively) was reported. 1994 there have been at least three large vessel- Gittings et al. (1992) suggested that this increase anchoring incidents. Foreign-flagged cargo vessels may be due to greater availability of algae follow- have occasionally anchored, unaware of the ing the demise of long-spined sea urchins in the anchoring restrictions.

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FLOWER GARDENS mid-1980s. FLOWER GARDENS FLOWER GARDENS Other – Juvenile loggerhead sea turtles (50-100 kg) are resident at the East and West Flower Garden Banks (Fig. 211). Based on satellite tracking studies, these turtles have a range of approximately 130 square kilometers, tightly centered on the Banks (Hickerson 2000). Hawksbill and leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) have also been reported. Atlantic spotted and pan-tropical spotted dolphins (Stenella plagiodon and S. attenuatus respec- tively), and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are commonly seen. Recently an Figure 211. A loggerhead turtle (Photo: Frank and Joyce unidentified species of beaked whale was reported. Burek).

Coastal Populations and Reef Economics Primary sources of potential degradation of water quality include coastal runoff, and river and effluent Recreational SCUBA diving is popular and the discharges from offshore activities such as oil/gas demand appears to be increasing. There are cur- development and marine transportation (Deslarzes rently three live-aboard charter dive vessels which 1998). -depleted (hypoxic) near-bottom can carry up to 35 divers each. In 1997, from a waters have been found in a large area of the survey of charter dive operations, it was estimated northern Gulf. Although relatively far from the that 2,350 divers annually visit the Flower Garden Flower Garden Banks, there is concern that this Banks. These divers spent $870,000 in Texas. area could grow and move, impacting the outer About $636,000 was spent in the local economy of continental shelf. Often called the ‘’, this Free-port Texas where it generated $1.1 million in area has included up to 16,500 km2 on the conti- sales/output, $477,000 in income, and 24 full and nental shelf from the Mississippi delta to the Texas part-time jobs. An additional $234,000 was spent in . other areas of Texas with $559,000 in sales/output, $228 thousand in income, and 11 more jobs (Ditton General coastal runoff and degraded nearshore and Thailing 2001). water quality can potentially impact the banks through cross-shelf transport processes, which Environmental Pressures on Coral Reefs brings turbid, nutrient-rich water offshore. Deslarzes (in press) postulates the fluorescent Human Pressures – Since they are relatively far bands observed in the carbonate skeletons of some from both Texas and Louisiana, the Flower Garden corals come from the seasonal transport of

147147 nearshore water onto the Sanctuary, which may be The two primary tainted by urban, agricultural, and biological con- groups using reef taminants. resources are fish- ers and SCUBA Research using isotopes suggests a path- divers. Recreational way for direct primary nitrogen input from coastal hook-and-line fish- river sources a considerable distance away. Benthic ers frequently use algae from Stetson Bank have a distinct nitrogen the area. Commer- isotope signature similar to plants found in coastal cial snapper and estuarine systems, suggesting coastal influences on grouper long-line water quality are reaching only as far as Stetson fishers fish along the Bank. Nitrogen isotopes from the Flower Garden edges of the banks Banks have signatures of oceanic origin (K. and sometimes Dunton pers. comm.). Figure 212. Hook-and-line fishing illegally within the gear snagged on a coral (Photo: Frank and Joyce Burek).

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FLOWER GARDENS FLOWER GARDENS FLOWER GARDENS borders, or lose gear not well known. At this time, only traditional hook that drifts into the Sanctuary. However, these and line fishing is allowed in the Sanctuary. How- activities are typically in the deeper portions of the ever, illegal fishing by both commercial longliners bank structure. and recreational spearfishers has been reported. The northern Gulf of Mexico is one of the most Targeted fishing efforts, which are allowed under active areas for oil and gas exploration and devel- current regulations, could have a significant detri- opment. By the end of 1995, approximately 5,000 mental impact on snapper and grouper populations. production platforms had been installed (approxi- Lost and discarded fishing gear has been observed mately 1,000 were subsequently removed), 32,000 at both the Sanctuary and Stetson Banks (Fig. 212). wells had been drilled and 80,000 km of pipeline These can cause localized physical injury to coral installed (Deslarzes 1998, A. Alvarado pers. reefs and can entangle and injure loggerhead sea comm.). The Gulf of Mexico accounts for more turtles and other . than 72% of the oil and 97% of the natural gas

Figure 213. The High Island 389A gas production platform produced in offshore U.S. waters. within the Sanctuary (Photo: Frank and Joyce Burek). Within a four-mile radius of the Flower Garden Banks, there are currently 10 production platforms and around 161 km of pipeline, half of which are dedicated oil pipelines (Deslarzes 1998). There is one gas production platform (High Island 389A) within the East Sanctuary boundary (Fig. 213). Potential impacts from offshore oil and gas explo- ration and development include accidental spills, contamination by drilling related effluents and discharge, anchoring of vessels involved in placing pipelines, drilling rigs and production platforms, seismic exploration, use of dispersants in mitigation, and platform removal. In spite of the intense industrial activity, long-term monitoring studies indicate no significant detrimental impact to the coral reefs of the Sanctuary from nearby oil and gas development (Gittings 1998). Fortunately, there have been no major oil spills or impacts from these activities. and Bleaching – The location and depth of these coral reefs buffer them some-

148148 what from the short-term effects of global warming studies on historical water quality and paleoclimate and climate change. Even though the effects of (using coral cores). Enhanced water-quality instru- coral bleaching are relatively low to date, some ments were installed in 2001, and are now collect- bleaching is routinely observed, mostly when the ing data on temperature, salinity, turbidity, dis- water temperature approaches 30˚ C. As global solved oxygen, pH, and light intensity. ocean temperatures increase, this will no doubt MPAs – The Flower Garden Banks were designated increase. as a National Marine Sanctuary in January 1992, and are administered by NOAA. In cooperation Current Conservation Management with appropriate partners, the Sanctuary staff Mapping – Using high-resolution multi-beam sonar directs resource protection, education, research, coupled with an extremely accurate vehicle motion and enforcement efforts. MMS provides additional sensor and very precise navigation, the USGS, the protection through requirements imposed on University of New Brunswick, and C & C Tech- industry operators in what is known as the ‘Topo- nologies, Inc. mapped the East and West Flower graphic Features Stipulation’ for the Sanctuary.

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FLOWER GARDENS Gardens and Stetson Banks (Gardner et al. 1998). FLOWER GARDENS FLOWER GARDENS Monitoring, Assessments, and Research – Since 1989, there has been a consistent, long-term monitoring program at the East and West Flower Garden Banks. NOAA and the Minerals Manage- ment Service (MMS) share the funding for this program. While not all, much of the monitoring has been related to concerns about the potential impact of oil and gas development. This program includes analysis of coral cover, relative abundance, diversity, and coral growth rates. Coral cover, abundance and vitality (disease, bleaching) are measured along random transects Figure 214. Researchers from the University of Texas lay and at permanently marked, repeatedly sampled tiles out on a reef during a study of coral spawning (Photo photo-quadrat stations. Coral growth data are col- credit: Ed Enns). lected using photography and growth-ring mea- surements from coral cores. Continuous-recording Government Policies, Laws, and instruments have been installed to measure tem- Legislation perature and light at the reef surface. Regulations governing the Flower Garden Banks Results of the long-term monitoring efforts are are authorized under the National Marine Sanctuar- published periodically (Gittings et al. 1992, Con- ies Act, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1431, and are tinental Shelf Associates 1996, Dokken et al. 1999, contained within the Code of Federal Regulations Dokken et al. 2001). Prior to the development of 15 CFR 922, Subparts A, E, and L, and can be the long-term monitoring program, there had been accessed on the web. They are designed to protect other quantitative studies of the benthic community the sensitive coral reef and bank features of the at FGBNMS since 1972 (Bright and Pequegnat Sanctuary. They prohibit all anchoring, mooring 1974, Viada 1980, Continental Shelf Associates any vessel greater than 100 feet (30.5 m) in regis- 1985). tered length on a Sanctuary mooring buoy, oil and Additional studies include periodic reef fish gas exploration and development within a desig- censuses and trophic studies (Pattengill et al. nated no activity zone (almost the entire sanctuary), 1997), elasmobranch surveys (sharks and rays), sea injuring or taking coral and other marine organ- turtle tagging and tracking, coral recruitment isms, using fishing gear other than traditional hook research, annual observations and experiments and line, discharging or depositing any substances relating to mass coral spawning (Fig. 214), and or materials, altering the seabed, building or

149149 abandoning any structures, and fluctuations (algal , using explosives or electrical coral bleaching, herbivores, charges. To reduce damage, etc.). moring bouys have been in- The distance from shore ham- stalled (Fig. 215). pers research and enforcement Effective June 1, 2001, the efforts. It also hampers moni- International Maritime Organi- toring human activity. While zation designated the Flower some data on visitor use can Garden Banks as the world’s be acquired by a variety of first international no-anchor zone. remote methods such as over- flights, satellite imagery, and Gaps in Current remote radar systems, the Monitoring and Sanctuary needs on-site obser- Conservation Capacity vation, management and

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FLOWER GARDENS FLOWER GARDENS FLOWER GARDENS enforcement. In May, 2001, The increased algal abundance the Sanctuary recently ac- highlights the need for more quired its own vessel, an 82- water quality monitoring. This Figure 215. Mooring buoys have been installed foot cutter, but also relies on needs to cover nutrient sam- at FGBNMS to prevent anchor damage to corals (Photo: Joyce and Frank Burek). charter vessels. pling and more detailed current and water circulation information. It also should be expanded to include specific studies on algae Conclusions and Recommendations population dynamics, the incidence and etiology of Recent data indicating the Flower Garden Banks coral disease, and the area of the coral reef commu- may be an important spawning area for several nity in the deeper parts of the Sanctuary. The species of grouper highlights the importance of frequency of the monitoring program should also considering a to protect the be increased to capture the aspects of community biodiversity of this area. ecology that undergo short-term and seasonal

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